Gould pots for gold & wins German Masters

Martin Gould recorded a long-awaited 9-5 victory over the Belgian player Luca Brecel in order to lift the 2016 German Masters trophy, but most importantly win his first major ranking title.

Despite winning one of the PTC series event, the Shoot-Out back in 2013 and reaching the 2015 Australian Open final, Martin was always short on getting his hand on the big one, as they say. 

But all that changed tonight when "The Pinner Potter" defeated the youngster Luca Brecel to write his name on the snooker list of champions.

The final had a pretty edgy start, both players feeling the tension of being part of such a magnificent tournament, but notably the one who broke the ice was Luca with a 68 break.

But by the time the mid-session interval was starting, Martin was in control at 3-1, thanks to winning frame two on the black (a very early drama, to be fair) and a top break of 72.

When returning into the arena, Brecel pulled one back with a 51 break, but Gould responded with a solid 87 to re-open the two-frames gap.

Stubborn and extremely eager to perform a comeback, the Belgian player stroke again, this time by making a tremendous 59 clearance, but Martin's reply proved even stronger this time: a break of 104 to end the first session leading 5-3.

The evening came and with it the players entered the arena for their last snooker meeting, Gould continuing on the same note and adding a perfectly cued 110 break to extend his lead at 6-3, to which he added a tense 10^th frame to go just two away from victory.

A strategically 55 break was assuring Luca he is still in the game (and that we shall actually have a mid-session interval), while Gould's top break of 38 was throwing him even further, at 8-4.

The 13^th frame was pure drama, as Martin looked set for closing the deal after making a 56 break. However, his opponent had other plans and thanks to a 63 break and a great pink, he managed to prolong the suspense of the match.

Not for long though, as Gould was sure to seal the deal in the next frame for a definitive 9-5 victory.

Clearly emotional about his win, Martin stated he feels "fantastic", explained that this victory looks almost "unbelievable" and that he truly worked so hard for it.

He also confessed that he felt confident about his chances, this being the reason for which he booked his return ticket for this Monday.

Tonight victory also guarantees Martin a place in the Top 16, which means a free pass to the Crucible. How about that for a bonus, ey? Well done champ!

That being said, we express our gratitude and goodbyes to Berlin and its majestic Tempodrom venue and look forward to the Welsh Open that will start a week from now, on 15 of February.